Tinubu Suspends Airport E-Toll Over Flight Disruptions

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the cashless payment system at airport toll gates nationwide following widespread traffic gridlock that left many passengers stranded and caused several to miss their flights.

The President directed that the policy be halted pending a comprehensive review, citing operational failures and the need to ease the burden on travelers. The gridlock, reported at major airport entry points across the country, sparked public complaints over long queues and delayed access to terminals.

According to the directive, the suspension will remain in place until a more efficient and seamless payment framework is put in place to prevent further disruptions.

President Tinubu also announced that private sector operators would be consulted to manage the electronic toll collection system under a commission-based arrangement. The move, he said, is aimed at improving efficiency, leveraging technology and ensuring accountability in revenue collection.

Sources within the aviation sector said the congestion was largely linked to technical glitches and inadequate infrastructure supporting the cashless system, which slowed down vehicle processing at airport gates.

The President emphasised that while digital payment systems remain part of the administration’s modernization agenda, implementation must not inconvenience citizens or undermine service delivery.

Travelers and aviation stakeholders have welcomed the decision, describing it as a timely intervention to restore order and prevent further disruptions, especially during peak travel periods.

The Federal Government is expected to engage relevant agencies and private partners in the coming days to design a more reliable system that balances revenue generation with passenger convenience.